Advanced Cognition

Abstract

Advanced cognition (see note three, p, 234) comprises those mental activities in which objects, behaviours and individuals are identified, defined, evaluated and categorized. In the process a number of species typical binary divisions are created. Holistic, hierarchical and stereotypical evaluations of what these depict are generated. Advanced cognitive processes also attribute agency (cause) within social relations, resulting in species typical patterns of deterministic thinking, identifications — with objects and others — and ideological reasoning. Deception and self-deception are also major features of advanced cognition.